Fresh start

An inviting corner café had a makeover and is ready for its first Happy Hour.

Chef stop

Dating back to 1820, this famed chefs' stop was Julia Child's favorite cookware shop.

E. Dehillerin

20 rue Coquillière 75001

Where I took my mother

Another restaurant I'd written up for USA Today, it was used as a set in "Something's Gotta Give" starring Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves and Diane Keaton.

Le Grand Colbert

2 rue Vivienne 75002

Bonne Fête Maman!

It's Mother's Day in France and florists are brimming over.

Film pick:
MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS
"Just in time for Mother's Day...."

Broom lady

Someone tidying up the park leaned a broom on this massive sculpture.

Stare cases

Montmartre has been waking up to brightly colored stairways all week.

Book dressing

Fashion boutique or bookstore? Shelves of books are the backdrop to a summer collection.

But first, coffee

Still warm glossy pains au chocolat just waiting to be grabbed.

Wired

Minimalist display of children's clothing in a Left Bank boutique.

Meant for Paris

"Barbara this reminds me so much of you from your college days way back when visiting your parents in Vienna." Sean L., Tucson AZ

House of dolls

La Maison de Poupée stocks old-fashioned glass and antique dolls.

40 rue de Vaugirard 75006

Side of pork

Painted wall on side of a Montmartre café.

Wings on heels

Hummingbird sneakers and butterfly-wing heels: this spring it's all about The Shoe.

Protein boost

Traditionally for workers in need of a quick "protein boost" the hard-boiled egg has returned to Paris café counters.

Street show

Facing outwards, a café's tables and chairs appear to be set up for an audience.

Sleepy head

Seventy tons of stone went into "Écoute," Henri de Miller's monolithic sculpture next to the church of Saint Eustache.

Monday motivation

Glorious views, glorious day at re-opened Café de l'Homme.

17 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre 75016

Happy Mom's Day

Today in USA; May 28th in France (don't forget to celebrate twice!).

Mother's Day film pick:
- MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS -  
(what else?)

Glimpse

Notre Dame Cathedral just visible across the river beyond shimmering trees and bouquiniste stalls.

Morning motivation

Tout simplement, a grand crème.
(Accidentally my sandals perfectly matched the stool!)

Day trip: Musée Camille Claudel

Newly opened Camille Claudel Museum in Nogent-sur-Seine is just an hour and a half away from Paris and on the way to Troyes, restored to its medieval splendor and gateway to the Champagne region.

Lunch:
AU NUMERO VINS
(wine / charcuterie-cheese planches one-minute walk from museum)
5 Rue de l'Étape au Vin 10400 Nogent-sur-Seine

More hysteria

Violet wisteria frames a garage door in Montmartre.

Wisteria hysteria

Pink wisteria cascades over a wall on a Montmartre side street.

Architecture class

University students work on an assignment under arches on the Place des Vosges.

Le Sentier

Beautiful cobbled street in the Sentier quarter, the old garment district of Paris.

Saint Sauveur

Corner of rue Saint Sauveur and Montorgueil market street with graffiti.

Café afternoons

A sidewalk terrace in Montmartre on a sunny afternoon.

Sitting chef

Chef takes a break after a grueling lunchtime service.

Pulpit

Detail of pulpit inside Église Saint-Eustache at Les Halles.

Cages

Stacked cages for sale at the Sunday flower and bird market on Île de la Cité.

Pain perdu

Franco-Australian brunch sensation Hardware Société serves up a different pain perdu, the original French toast, daily. Get there early and grab a window seat with views.

Top photo: Reflection of Basilica in front window

10 rue Lamarck 75018